Bears sign possible starting lineman

While the Redskins spent $100 million on All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, the Bears spent the first day of NFL free agency signing a career backup offensive lineman.

Matt Trowbridge

While the Redskins spent $100 million on All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, the Bears spent the first day of NFL free agency signing a career backup offensive lineman.

“All that glitters isn’t gold,” Chicago general manager Jerry Angelo said in a teleconference Friday after signing unheralded tackle Frank Omiyale for four years for a reported $12 million to $14 million.

Many of the Bears best free-agent signings in recent years have been modest-priced offensive linemen, and Angelo thinks Omiyale could start for the Bears, the way John St. Clair, Roberto Garza and Ruben Brown did. He could even replace either Garza (right guard) or St. Clair (right tackle) in the lineup.

“The coaches said they’ll get a good feel for everybody and put the pieces where they fit the best,” Omiyale (pronounced oh-mee-yell) said. “I just want to do my part and whatever the coaches decide, I will fall in.”

The 2005 fifth-round draft pick out of Tennessee Tech has one career start in four years, Oct. 5 last year for NFC South champion Carolina against the Chiefs at left tackle. Angelo said Omiyale also played well at left tackle late in the season in a relief role against the Saints.

Angelo said the Bears still want to re-sign free-agent St. Clair, who could move from left to right tackle, to make room for 2008 No. 1 pick Chris Williams and replace the retired John Tait. Angelo said the Bears will first try Omiyale at guard even though he‘s been exclusively a tackle so far.

“What we wanted to do was just bring in good, young, quality linemen and let players and coaches determine who gives us our best five out there,” Angelo said. “We’re trying to create versatility with our linemen.”

Omiyale said he feels “comfortable” at right tackle “if that’s where I’m needed,” and that if he’s moved to guard he “can develop at that position.”

Omiyale was first drafted by Atlanta and then claimed by Carolina off waivers in 2007. The Bears considered drafting him in 2005, after offensive line coach Harry Hiestand gave him a personal workout. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Omiyale is best at pass blocking.

“He’s a big man,” Angelo said. “There’s no reason he can’t be a good run blocker, but first and foremost, he is a pass protector.”

The Bears interests now turn to re-signing the versatile St. Clair and then window-shopping at several positions, unlike last year when they clearly targeted left tackle and running back as their top two needs.

“We’ll do more exploring than buying and see how things unfold in these first couple of weeks,” Angelo said. “We have more positions this year that we’re looking at to fill, create more competition, build depth, all those things.

“What we are able to accomplish in free agency gives us more latitude for the draft. You don’t want to go into the draft like we did last year and have to get fixated on a position.

Everyone would like to draft the best player available, but that’s easier said than done. What you normally do the first three rounds is draft for your needs, then (the media) come back and say we overdrafted.”

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